NSW Wildlife Council – "Achieving optimal outcomes for Australian wildlife"

NSW Wildlife Rehabilitation Annual Report 2020–21

In 2020–21 there were 8,150 volunteers who supported or were otherwise directly involved in wildlife rehabilitation.

This annual report is the collective story of the NSW wildlife rehabilitation sector. It is the fourth report to be compiled by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of Planning and Environment. It communicates the significant efforts of volunteers in the sector and reports on trends in the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured wildlife.

To view the report go to https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/publications-search/nsw-wildlife-rehabilitation-annual-report-2020-21

2022 Enclosure and Equipment grants are now open

The wildlife rehabilitator enclosure and equipment grants program for 2022-2023 is now open

On the opening of the 2022-2023 wildlife rehabilitator grants program, NWC Chair, Audrey Koosmen announced an increase in the Grant ceiling to a grant budget of $50,000. The grants program acknowledges the pivotal role played not only by wildlife rehabilitators but by their groups.

The 2022-23 NWC member-only-group rehabilitator grant budget is increased by $10,000. Any NWC group may be awarded a maximum of 2 individual member grants and 1 group grant; grant application amounts may be between $500 and $4000; independent general licensees may be awarded one grant.

The award of an NWC group grant will not disqualify individuals from NWC groups to be included in the application process.

Grant applications for equipment and enclosure projects in the range of $500 to $4000 will be accepted between 17 June 2022 and 31 July 2022.

Full details are included in the:

Guidelines – (PDF)
Application Form – (Printable PDF)
Application Form – (Fillable Word Doc)

To be eligible to apply applicants must:

Have 2 or more years’ rehabilitation experience
Be authorised under an NPWS licensed rehabilitation group or be an independent general licensee (IGL)
Have their application endorsed by their licensed group management committee (in the case of an NWC group member)
Lodge application no later than 5 pm on Sunday 31 July 2022

All grant applications will be assessed on the criteria Need, Excellence, and Value for Money and full details including the Grant Guidelines and Application form should be downloaded from www.nwc.org.au

More than one application endorsed by any individual group will be accepted, however, a maximum of 2 individual and 1 group grant can be awarded to any one NWC group, and 1 to an IGL. A group application will be assessed separately from an individual application under the same licence.

The NWC Grants Panel will be responsible for the method of awarding grants for 2022 depending on how the August Annual General Meeting is conducted.

We acknowledge with gratitude the Late John James Northcote whose bequest to NWC has enabled the increase of $10,000 to the grant funding for 2022.

NWC encourages eligible authorised wildlife rehabilitators and licenced rehabilitation groups to apply. Inquiries to grants@nwc.org.au

Vale Julia Linette McConnell

NSW Wildlife Council is saddened by the death in hospital over the Christmas 2021 period of Julia McConnell one of NSW’s early wildlife rehabilitation pioneers.

Julia and her late husband, Bill, joined WIRES in the group’s formative years and Julia was Secretary of Blue Mountains WIRES branch and an integral part of its management team. As well as their active WIRES involvement Julia and Bill joined the pioneer reptile training team with Bill as a Trainer and Julia as part of the family support team attending handling courses which were operating to an intensive schedule during the height of the summer reptile seasons.

Specialisation into herpetofauna saw Julia and Bill gaining an Independent General Licence from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the formation of Reptile Rescue and Education Service from their home base at Bullaburra.

As passionate advocates for greater understanding and conservation of the reptile species Julia and Bill were founding members when the Hawkesbury Herpetological Society was formed in August 1993. She was Treasurer 2009-2010 and 2013-2014 and Secretary 2011-2012.

Fran Stopford, editor with Stephen Boys, of “The Hawkesbury Herpetologist Retrospective” remembers Julia as an always willing participant in reptile expos and other events to promote the importance and conservation of our native wildlife.

Fran recalls Julia’s particular love of Tiger Snakes and NWC Secretary Meredith recalls their interest in dingo education and how they shared their observations of their captive dingoes at Bullaburra.

Julia was a staunch advocate through local conservation groups of protection of wildlife through control of free-living cats in the Blue Mountains environment.

Julia took animals that were unable to be released and worked with National Parks and Wildlife Service about rehoming them with licensed herpetologists according to the rules.

Julia was part of the steering committee that formed the New South Wales Wildlife Council and was Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. Other roles Julia held were as Insurance Officer and she represented the interests and was spokesperson for the NSW Independent General Licensees on the Council from 2007 to 2014.

Lorraine Vass AM remembers Julia’s passion about strengthening the wildlife rehab sector and said “from time to time we collaborated on policy issues of mutual interest. We got on well – she was knowledgeable, diligent, forthright, and enjoyed a laugh”.

Though short in stature Julia was a straight shooter and freely made her opinions known, often intimidating those who thought she might be a “pushover” and not so adamant and convincing in her wildlife advocacy.

Julia made a strong and lasting contribution to the wildlife sector, not only to rehabilitation, but to protection and conservation.

Audrey Koosmen, Chair of the New South Wales Wildlife Council, said “Julia’s legacy to wildlife education, conservation and to the rehabilitation sector will be long remembered. Her commitment was enormous and engendered huge interest particularly in the region’s reptilian fauna”.

Julia’s full obituary can be found on the attached PDF.

Updated resources for Flying-Fox carers

Code of Practice for Injured, Sick and Orphaned Flying-foxes

The Code of Practice for Injured, Sick and Orphaned Flying-foxes is intended for those authorised to rescue, rehabilitate and release flying-foxes.

The code has been developed to ensure the welfare needs of these flying-foxes are met and the conservation benefits stemming from their rehabilitation and release are optimised. It also aims to ensure that risks to the health and safety of volunteers rescuing and caring for these animals are reduced and easily managed.

First published in June 2021; second edition published September 2021

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/publications-search/code-of-practice-for-injured-sick-and-orphaned-flying-foxes

Initial treatment and care guidelines for rescued flying foxes

This document advises on the initial care and management of flying-foxes following rescue, from capture to physical examination, initial stabilisation and treatment before presentation to a veterinarian.

It advises on how to manage the more common rescue encounters in flying-foxes including trauma, heat stroke, burns, orphaning and starvation.

The purpose of this document is to standardise the initial treatment of flying-foxes requiring rescue or rehabilitation, in line with the Code of Practice for Injured, Sick and Orphaned Flying-foxes.

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/publications-search/initial-treatment-and-care-guidelines-for-rescued-flying-foxes

Flying-fox Rehabilitation Training Standards for the Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector

These standards must be used for delivering introductory training for flying-fox rehabilitation.

Any person with an authority to rescue and rehabilitate flying-foxes in New South Wales must be trained to these standards and be assessed as competent.

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research-and-publications/publications-search/flying-fox-rehabilitation-training-standards

Questionnaire for Australian Wildlife Rehabilitators

Investigators: Professor David Phalen and Lauren Bassett (Project Assistant) from the University of Sydney – School of Veterinary Science has received funding from NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) to conduct a survey of Australian wildlife rehabilitators. The study is designed to identify health problems that are impacting wildlife survivability and releasability that would benefit from additional investigation into their cause and treatment. Findings from this survey will inform future research into health problems identified in wildlife.

The survey is seeking to identify illnesses, diseases or injuries that either cause native Australian wildlife to come into care or develop in native wildlife while in care that require further investigation.

To participate, please complete the anonymous online survey via this link: https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=DECY9PKMKA

The time it will take to complete the survey is dependent on how many wildlife species you rehabilitate, and of these, how many injuries, illnesses and/or diseases you wish to discuss. The study is confidential, and participants cannot be identified from their responses.

Thank you for taking the time to participate in our survey. Your responses will greatly assist in identifying health problems affecting our native wildlife that merit further investigation.

NSW Community Wildlife Survey

The NSW DPIE needs your help to conserve koalas and other local wildlife, to understand the impact of the 2019-20 bushfires and to assess trends in feral animals such as deer and fox.

In 2019, they released the NSW Community Wildlife Survey. The survey aimed to improve our understanding of the distribution of koalas and other mammals, including both native and introduced species, in New South Wales, to indicate how their populations have changed over time and to investigate what might be causing that change.

They ran the survey from May to December.

They have now reopened the survey to help them understand how our wildlife and introduced mammals are faring, and how they have been impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires.

More than ever, we need your sightings of koalas and other mammals from before and after the fires, as well as sightings from areas not affected by the fire.

The information you provide will build on findings from earlier community surveys, allowing us to compare mammal populations in 2006 with those in 2019-20. This data will help us decide the priority sites for action as part of the NSW Government’s Koala Strategy. It will also provide us with vital information about where mammals were affected by fire and where populations remain within and near the fire grounds.

The survey questions include

which of the 10 target animals in the image gallery occur in your local area
when you last saw the animals in your local area and if you think their numbers are increasing, decreasing or staying the same
the health of the koalas in your local area and whether they have young (joeys)
what you think are the main threats to koalas in your local area
where in New South Wales you have seen any of the 10 target animals over the last 2 years.

The survey should take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete.

For more information, links to the tools that you need to use and to take the survey go to:

https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/threatened-species/programs-legislation-and-framework/nsw-koala-strategy/koala-and-other-wildlife-survey

Staying healthy during a mouse plague

Mice, rats and other rodents may carry infections that can spread to humans. These infections can spread through direct contact with infected mice or through contact with soil, food or water contaminated by infected mice. These infections are rare, but people should take steps to reduce their risk.

To read the full article go to the NSW health website at – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/mouse-plague.aspx

Download a PDF factsheet at – https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Factsheets/mouse-plague.pdf

Tips for protecting your health

Minimising rodent contact

Seal any holes or gaps inside your home.
Store food inside thick, well-sealed containers and clean up any spills/leftover food promptly to avoid attracting rodents.
Do not set mouse traps near food preparation areas.

What to do if you are bitten by a rodent

Immediately clean the wound with soap and water.
Dry the area, apply an antibiotic cream and a clean bandage.
Seek medical attention. You may need a tetanus immunisation, and in some circumstances (not always), antibiotics are given to prevent infection.
As the wound heals, keep an eye out for signs of infection such as skin that is warm to the touch, redness or pain. See a doctor if these signs develop.

Clean and disinfect mouse contact areas

Mop floors and clean countertops with disinfectant or bleach solution.
Steam clean or shampoo upholstered furniture and carpets with evidence of rodent exposure.
Wash any bedding and clothing with laundry detergent in hot water if exposed to rodent urine or droppings.

Clean up of mouse carcasses

When cleaning up mouse carcases or working in areas where mice have been:

Wear gloves
Wear waterproof protective clothing and footwear.
Cover cuts and abrasions with a waterproof dressing.
Wash hands with soap and dry your hands after completing the clean-up, and especially before eating.
Ideally, any handling of mouse carcasses should be undertaken by household members who are not pregnant or immunosuppressed.